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President Donald Trump, during his Tuesday night State of the Union address, awarded the Purple Heart to Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and deceased Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, two National Guard members who were critically injured and fatally shot by a gunman who ambushed them while on duty last year in Washington, D.C.

Trump used a portion of his State of the Union address to acknowledge Wolfe and the parents of 20-year-old Beckstrom, who did not survive her injuries.

‘I’m going to ask a highly respected General James Seward to present Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and the great family of Sarah Beckstrom, with the award created by our late, great president, George Washington himself,’ Trump said. ‘It’s called the Purple Heart. We love you all.’

As Trump spoke, Major General James ‘Jim’ D. Seward, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, presented Specialist Beckstrom’s medal to her parents and pinned the Purple Heart on Staff Sergeant Wolfe in the viewing gallery above.

‘Your daughter was a true American patriot,’ Trump told Beckstrom’s parents, ‘and she will be greatly missed.’

‘She was a great person,’ Trump said. ‘I saw reports on her. They’ve never seen anything like it. So sorry.’

Addressing Wolfe, Trump said, ‘The doctors thought that Andrew was gone, but his mother said, ‘No, no, Mr. President, Andrew will be fine. He’s going to make it.’ I’ve never seen anything like it.’

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised their award in a statement, describing the award as a ‘solemn and unforgettable moment, one that ensured their courage and sacrifice were honored not only by West Virginia but also before the entire nation.’

Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, were both shot by a gunman just blocks from the White House last November, in what federal authorities are investigating as a terror attack.

The alleged shooter is an Afghan refugee who came to the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome during the military’s withdrawal from Kabul in 2021.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution honoring the two National Guard members.

‘Spc. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Wolfe represent the very best of our nation,’ Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, said at the time.

‘Young Americans driven by service, compassion, and a sense of duty. Their willingness to step forward to serve their communities and their country reflects the highest ideals of military and public service.’

Fox News Digital’s Liz Elkind contributed to this report

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President Donald Trump called out insider trading on Capitol Hill during his address, urging Congress to ‘pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay’ while also taking a shot at Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. 

‘Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information,’ Trump said, prompting members of both parties to stand.

Trump responded, ‘They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up — if she’s here? Doubt it.’

The Pelosi family’s financial disclosures have frequently been cited by critics calling for stricter limits on congressional stock trading.

The Stop Insider Trading Act, introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil, would ban members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks and require advance public notice before any sale, aiming to go beyond the 2012 STOCK Act’s reporting requirements.

A source familiar told Fox News Digital that Pelosi was applauding until Trump called her out.

The moment captured attention on social media, including from Fox News contributor Guy Benson, who posted on X, ‘lol the Pelosi ad lib.’

Trump touts

‘LMAO at Trump’s callout of Pelosi on insider trading,’ columnist Josh Hammer posted on X. 

‘LOL Trump is the funniest President of all time, zero debate,’ Newsbusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck posted on X. 

Trump also announced a new retirement savings proposal for workers without access to employer matching, promising the federal government would match contributions up to $1,000 a year so more Americans can benefit from market gains.

Fox News Digital reached out to Pelosi’s office for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report

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WATCH: Top 5 most memorable moments in American State of the Union history
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President Trump’s first swipe at Democrats during his first official State of the Union of his second term was a dig related to taxes and their opposition to his signature ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’

‘Together, we’re building a nation where every child has the chance to reach higher and go further, where government answers to the people, not the powerful, and where the interests of hardworking American citizens are always our first and ultimate concern,’ Trump told Congress on Tuesday night.

‘That is the debt we owe to the heroes who came before us. And that is the promise we must keep to America for our 250th year last year. I urge this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history, and our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully. Thank you Republicans.’

Trump then took his first direct shot at Democrats. 

‘All Democrats, every single one of them voted against these really important and very necessary massive tax cuts,’ Trump said. ‘They wanted large scale tax increases to hurt the people instead. But we held strong. And with the great big beautiful bill, we gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors.’

Trump went on to point out that interest on auto loans are tax deductible for ‘the first time’ but ‘only if the car is made in America. 

US Olympic men

Democrats were scheduled to hold five counter events Tuesday night in opposition to Trump’s speech and several skipped the speech entirely, including Sens. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego. 

One Democrat, Congressman Al Green, was ejected from the speech for the second year in a row after holding up a sign that said ‘Black people aren’t apes’ in all capital letters as Trump arrived.

Trump’s speech was littered with standing ovations from Republicans in the audience, including several optimistic moments near the start. 

‘This is the golden age of America,’ Trump said near the beginning of his remarks.

‘When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis, with a stagnant economy, inflation at record levels, a wide open border, horrendous recruitment for military and police, rampant crime at home, and wars and chaos all over the world. But tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before and a turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages.’

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The architect of former President Bill Clinton’s political rise offered a profane preview of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, claiming he will face a ‘public humiliation’ by November.

James Carville, known as the ‘Ragin Cajun’ for his raucous demeanor, claimed every member of Trump’s administration except top adviser Stephen Miller ‘hates’ him. He delivered the remarks on the Politicon YouTube channel he shares with journalist Al Hunt.

‘However bad you think this is, however much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, in your staff, in your Congress, attorney on you, it’s just starting,’ Carville said.

‘You know how miserable you’re going to be in November? You know, how f—ing miserable you are? Tens of millions of American people get a chance to tell you exactly what they think of you.’

He addressed Trump as if he were watching, telling him to ‘sit still while I’m talking to you’ and advising that ‘everybody is stabbing you in the back’ before calling him a ‘fat, sorry, sack of s—.’

He claimed the Pentagon has begun, or will begin, leaking information to hurt Trump ‘because your boy Pete can’t control s—,’ in an apparent reference to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

‘You can’t trust anyone: trust no one, right. OK, maybe Stephen Miller, I’ll give you that one. The Congress can’t stand you. They’re not going to pass s— for you. They hate you. They know you’re going to bring them to staggering defeat.’

Carville also claimed Congress is in disarray, alleging that his fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson ‘doesn’t know whether to wind his a– or scratch his watch.’

‘You are the most unpopular president at this point in your term that we’ve ever had. They don’t like you. You understand that? They don’t like you. They don’t like the way you smell and the way that you look. They don’t like your fat stomach. They don ‘t like your stupid combover,’ Carville said, referring to the American people.

He also referenced the fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia ultimately decided to stop seeking prosecution of six federal lawmakers led by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who produced a video advising service members they can refuse lawful orders.

President Trump to take on affordability issue during State of the Union address

‘When you lose Judge Jeanine… that’s kind of horrible,’ he said, referring to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is a former judge in Westchester County, N.Y. and ex-Fox News host.

‘You’re in the process of getting the living s— kicked out of you. And how bad do you think this is? However much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, your own staff, and your own Congress attorney on you. It’s just starting.’

Carville closed by wishing Trump ‘good health’ but warned him a ‘public humiliation is happening as we speak.’

‘People [will] tell you exactly what the f— they think of you, and I got news for you, it ain’t very good,’ he said.

In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson called Carville an ‘irrelevant loser’ who ‘rambles to an audience of no one.’

‘This is a sad example of late stage Trump Derangement Syndrome,’ Jackson told Fox News Digital.

‘President Trump is focused on delivering on his many promises for the American people — driving down costs, tackling Bidenflation, deporting criminal illegal aliens, lowering crime rates, and more,’ she added.

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Al Green ejected from Trump primetime address again — this time with protest sign
Al Green ejected from Trump primetime address again — this time with protest sign
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Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was ejected from President Donald Trump’s primetime address to a joint session of Congress for a second year in a row.

Fox News Digital spotted Green on the Democrats’ traditional side of the House chamber Tuesday evening ahead of the State of the Union, standing at a seat just five rows from where Trump was due to begin speaking.

As Trump arrived, however, he held up a sign that read in all capital letters, ‘Black people aren’t apes!’

Green did not put the sign down and remained standing even after Trump began speaking, prompting Capitol security to escort him out of the chamber. 

Fox News Digital also saw heated conversations between Green and two House Republicans, Reps. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, and Pat Fallon, R-Texas, before he was removed.

The longtime Texas progressive lawmaker was removed by security in 2025 during Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress after repeatedly interrupting the president by shouting and shaking his cane.

The House voted to censure Green over the outburst, with 10 Democrats joining the GOP in the move.

He was one of several Democrats to disrupt Trump’s speech in 2025, but Green’s persistent and loud protests after being asked to quiet down forced Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to direct security to eject him from the chamber.

Green yelled at the time, ‘You have no mandate to cut Medicaid.’

‘Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session,’ Johnson said in response.

Green has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics among House Democrats, pushing impeachment articles against him on multiple occasions.

He had remained defiant when he stopped to speak with the White House press pool on the first floor of the U.S. Capitol after being thrown out of the second floor House chamber, where Trump was speaking.

‘I’m willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me. I didn’t say to anyone, ‘don’t punish me.’ I’ve said I’ll accept the punishment,’ Green said, according to the White House press pool report. 

‘But it’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.’

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Liberal pundits call Team USA hockey players ‘morons,’ scold gold medalists over Trump call
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Olympian Jack Hughes and his mom recently responded to the fallout from the U.S. men’s hockey team’s viral call with President Donald Trump.

During the locker room call with the team, President Trump invited the players to the State of the Union address. He briefly mentioned the U.S. women’s hockey team, who also won gold during the Olympics, beating Canada in an overtime thriller, saying he had to invite them too, or he would be ‘impeached.’ The men’s hockey team laughed at the president’s remark.

‘People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing,’ Jack Hughes told the Daily Mail.

‘People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them, and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.’

During an appearance on the Today Show, Ellen Hughes, Jack’s mom, also addressed the backlash. Ellen Hughes is also the mother of Team USA’s Quinn Hughes and a consultant for the U.S. women’s hockey team.

‘These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,” Ellen Hughes said. “People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.’

A USA Hockey spokesperson said while the women’s team received an invitation, it wouldn’t be able to attend. They declined the President’s invitation.

‘Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate,’ the spokesperson said. ‘They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.’

Jack Hughes seemed to confirm that he and his teammates will be in Washington for President Trump’s address. ‘We’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans, and that’s so patriotic,’ Hughes said.

Despite the backlash to the phone call with Trump, Hughes’ mom says both rosters supported one another during their respective runs to gold medals.

“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that’s what it’s all about,’ Hughes’ mom said.

‘And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Many in the United States will no doubt have their eyes glued to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

After their gold medal triumph over Canada at the Milan Olympics, the United States men’s hockey team will also be closely watched to see whether its players will make it to Washington, D.C. The president invited them to attend, and tour the White House, in a call to the locker room after the victory.

The women’s hockey team, which also won a gold medal with a victory over Canada, was also invited to attend the State of the Union but declined President Donald Trump’s invitation citing ‘timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.’

‘They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,’  a USA Hockey spokesperson said.

The fallout of the invitations

Social media was in an uproar following the men’s hockey team’s victory, when Trump spoke to the team by phone to congratulate them while they were celebrating in the locker room. The video showed FBI director Kash Patel chugging beer and celebrating with the hockey players.

Patel called Trump and put him on speakerphone to talk to the players.

“What would really be cool, and we’ll do the White House next time, we’ll just have some fun, we have medals for you guys. And we have to, I must tell you, we’re gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?” Trump said on the call.

Then Trump seemed to slight the women’s hockey team, saying, “I must tell you we’re going to have to bring the women, too; you do know that. Believe me, I probably would be impeached, OK?”

The men’s hockey team’s laughed at the comment, leading to outrage on social media.

The men’s hockey team accepted the president’s invitation on Sunday but it’s unknown how many will attend the address.

There is a petition on Move On asking the men’s hockey team to apologize to women’s team and skip the State of the Union.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Olympic gold medal-winning United States women’s hockey team is receiving support online after it declined an invite by the White House to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The winning team, which beat Canada for the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, cited ‘timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments’ as the reason behind their decline.

However, the team’s declining of the invite also came after a controversial phone call from President Donald Trump to the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team after they also beat Canada for a gold medal on Sunday, Feb. 22.

During the call, Trump invited the men’s team to the State of the Union and a White House visit, and offered to transport them on a military plane. He also said on the call, ‘I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?’

The president added, jokingly, ‘I do believe I probably would be impeached’ if he didn’t invite the women’s team.

The phone call sparked discussion on social media with some upset about the president’s comments and laughter among the men, while others wanted to refocus on unity and country. See reactions.

Internet, celebrities support women’s hockey team for skipping White House

His wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, also supported the team’s decision to skip the event, writing: ‘Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected!’

Actor Sophia Bush brought in a ‘Heated Rivalry reference,’ writing ‘our 🏒 boyfriends would NEVER.’

‘@usahockey (obviously the women) you deserve better and you earned the world! We love you!’ Bush said in an Instagram post.

Some social media users not only expressed distaste over the president’s remarks but were also annoyed at the men’s team for laughing at the joke.

Jack Hughes: ‘People are so negative’

Hockey player Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal against Canada, meanwhile, is seemingly unfazed by the criticism, telling the Daily Mail at a victory party in Miami: ‘Everything is so political.’

‘They’ve got busy schedules, too,’ Hughes told the media outlet. ‘Everyone is giving us backlash for all the social media stuff today. People are so negative out there, and they are just trying to find a reason to put people down and make something out of almost nothing.’

Hughes added his team wholly supported the women’s team and ‘everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them, and we know the same way we feel about them, they feel about us.’

‘We’re athletes,’ Hughes added. ‘We’re so proud to represent the U.S., and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic.’

Olympic mom Ellen Hughes reacts to Trump’s comment

‘These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,’ Hughes commented during an appearance on ‘Today’ Feb. 24. ‘People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.’

Hughes added the ‘synergy’ between the two squads is ‘what it’s all about.’

‘If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that’s what it’s all about,’ she said. ‘And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity and they care about the country.’

Flavor Flav invites women’s team to Vegas

American rapper Flavor Flav, meanwhile, invited the women’s hockey team to Las Vegas for ‘some nice dinners and shows and good times’ to celebrate their achievement. It is not yet clear if the women’s team have accepted his offer, though a post on the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s Instagram said the team had accepted it. Several brands, including Alaska Airlines and Stubhub, also offered to help with the celebrations.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The San Francisco 49ers racked up 13 wins in 2025 but finished third in their own division. They’re looking to improve and catch up to the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in 2026.

They’ll have to do it after settling a reported contract dispute with their star offensive lineman.

San Francisco and left tackle Trent Williams are ‘struggling to find a contractual solution’ for 2026, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Williams, 37, is entering the final year of his current extension and is carrying a nearly $39 million cap hit for 2026.

Williams is the second-highest paid left tackle in the NFL by average annual value (AAV) behind only the Los Angeles Chargers’ Rashawn Slater, per OverTheCap.

Williams signed a new extension late in the 2024 offseason after the 49ers reached Super Bowl 58 following a holdout. He played in 10 games that season but returned healthy for 2025 and made his 12th career Pro Bowl.

The five-time All-Pro left tackle is entering his age-38 season in 2026.

San Francisco currently has $41.2 million in cap space for 2026 per OverTheCap, 11th-most in the NFL for the upcoming season. His cap number of $38.84 million is the second-highest on the team entering 2026 behind edge rusher Nick Bosa ($41.61 million).

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, is ready to sit in for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech after being ejected from Trump’s primetime address in 2025.

Fox News Digital spotted Green on the Democrats’ traditional side of the House chamber Tuesday evening, standing at a seat just five rows from where Trump will be speaking starting at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The longtime Texas progressive lawmaker was removed by security in 2025 during Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress after repeatedly interrupting the president by shouting and shaking his cane.

The House voted to censure Green over the outburst, with 10 Democrats joining the GOP in the move.

He was one of several Democrats to disrupt Trump’s speech in 2025, but Green’s persistent and loud protests after being asked to quiet down forced Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to direct security to eject him from the chamber.

Green yelled at the time, ‘You have no mandate to cut Medicaid.’

‘Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session,’ Johnson said in response.

Green has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics among House Democrats, pushing impeachment articles against him on multiple occasions.

He had remained defiant when he stopped to speak with the White House press pool on the first floor of the U.S. Capitol after being thrown out of the second floor House chamber, where Trump was speaking.

‘I’m willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me. I didn’t say to anyone, ‘don’t punish me.’ I’ve said I’ll accept the punishment,’ Green said, according to the White House press pool report. 

‘But it’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.’

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